Flyers' Pronger back in familiar role

Philadelphia Flyers' defenseman Chris Pronger, right, works on stopping Buffalo Sabres' Tyler Ennis in the third period in Game 7 of a first-round NHL Stanley Cup playoffs hockey series, Tuesday, April 26, 2011, in Philadelphia. The Flyers won 5-2. (AP Photo/Tom Mihalek)

PHILADELPHIA --- The minute-to-minute logs, the stat sheet or even the eyes might not corroborate what once was believed to be a certainty for the Flyers-Sabres first-round Stanley Cup playoff series.

So that would have to leave it to the results to provide the proof.

In the end, after a 5-2 victory over Buffalo in Game 7, the Flyers did need Chris Pronger in order to survive, advance and maintain their title hopes.

Recovering from a broken hand that had kept him from the ice since March 8, Pronger played in Games 6 and 7 of the series, each a victory as the Flyers recovered from a 2-3 series deficit.

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Unlike Game 6 in Buffalo, where his presence was slightly more than ornamental, Pronger Tuesday played 17 minutes and 27 seconds, including 16:12 of even-strength time. But it was on the power play, where he'd figured all along to provide the most help, that Pronger hit the boxscore, assisting on a James van Riemsdyk goal at 10:19 of the second.

After a series-long man-advantage struggle, the Flyers were 2-for-2 on the power play Tuesday. Pronger was also on the ice Sunday for a Danny Briere power-play goal.

"We had two on the power play tonight," Pronger said. "We knew we would have to get to them early and make them come from behind."

Though it was not entirely due to Pronger's absence, the Flyers needed to come from behind to win the series.

But he displayed no particular limitation after his return, suggesting his immediate Round Two availability.

"My hand feels all right," Pronger said. "I'm sure it will be sore tomorrow. But when isn't it? I think it was a good test tonight. I really didn't do a lot in Game 6, other than the power play. So it was a good test. You gain a little comfort.

"You go through the progression as the series progresses. You go through the rehab, the therapy and all the rest of that. Eventually, you get to the point where you have to test it. Tonight was the night."

Pronger insists the Sabres did not target his healed hand --- regardless of certain appearances.

"Were you watching the same game?" he said. "Not once did that happen."

Pronger played just 4:33 in Game 6. But by Game 7, was an on-ice regular.

"I was working pretty hard, just skating with the injured guys ... the 'Black Aces,'" he said. "You have to do that to try to prepare. You've got to jump into playoff speed and playoff action."